Life-preserving garment.



A. NOGAR. LIFE PRESERVING GARMENT. APPLIEATION men OCT- 6. I9!6.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

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LIFE PRESERVING GARMENT.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-6.1916.

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vifneoo AUGUST NOGAB, or READI G, PENNSYLVANIA.

LIFE-PRESERVING GARMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

Application filed October 6, 1916.- Serial No. 124,165.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, AUGUST NOGAR, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Reading, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preserving Garments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will onable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to, make and use the same.

7 This invention relates to a life preserving garment and the primary object of the invention is to provide a garment which is constructed of rubberized or waterproof fabric, and the waist and trouser portions connected in such a manner that the waist may hang blouse like over theupper edge .of the trousers or extend straight upwardly therefrom, depending upon the size of the person wearing the garment.

Another ob 'ect of this invention is to attach straps and buckles to the legs of the garment at or directly above the knee, so that the leg portions of the garment maybe drawn tightly about the knees of the wearer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a garment which opens down/ the front of the waist portion, and which is provided with a novel construction for forming an. air and watertight joint or closure for the open portion, which closure includes a pair of strips cemented to the body of the garment one .of which strips is. provided with a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped recess formed in itsinner surface which receives a flexible tube carried by the other strip, so thatwhen the fastening-devices are adjusted, the tube will be positioned in the rectangular opening, for

" forming a watertight joint.

A further object of this invention is ,to provide'a vest structure which is positioned within the waist portion of the garment and contained in a slip constructed of suitable rubberized or waterproof material, so as to form a plurality of pockets, the lower ends of which are open, and held closed by pins or suitable fastening means for retaining buoyant cushions therein, which cushions may be constructed of as Japanese silk, cotton or other analogous material wh ch is l of waterproof material.

A still further'object of the invention is to constructithe- 'vest in a plurality of distinct' fse ctions, which are connected flexible portions of the cloth, and to attach a plurality-of elastic face of the vest, so that the vest will fit diffcrent size persons wearing the same, the elastic stretching and allowing the flexible portions connecting the vest sections to stretch for fitting a large person, while the elastic will contract and hold the vest section closelyabout a smaller person.

strips to the outer sur- With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention consists in such novel features of construction, combination and arrangement'of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein likecharacters designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which 2-- Figure 1 is a front view of the improved suit.

Fig. 2 is an inner View of the vest struct ure.

Fig. 3 is a Fig. 2.

Fig. 2. 1g. Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 1. I

Fig. 7 is a on the line 3 -3 of on the line H on the line 55.

section 4 is a section 5 is a .section 6 is a section on the line 66 section on the line 77 Fi 1. Fig. 8 isa section through the closure or the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail section through one portion of the closure or sealing structure.

I particularly to the drawings, 1 designates the waist portion of the life preserving suit while 2 indicates the trousers p'ortionQ The entire body of the armentor suit isconstructed of rubberized abric or any'suitable' fabric which has been treated to make--the-same waterproof. The

waist portion lisi connected to the trousers portion 2 by a fiexlble strip 3, which is less flexible than the fabric of which the waist the opening in the waist portion taken on inner face of the section 16 and trouser sections are formed so as provide a hinged joint and permit the waist portion to overhang the upper edge of the trousers portion as indicated at 4 in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, in substantially a blouse effect, when a short person is wearing the suit. \Vhen a tall person is wearing the suit, the flexible strip 3 will permit the lower edge of the waist portion to extend straight upward from the upper edge of the trousers portion.

The trousers portion 2 has boots or foot receiving portions 5 formed thereon andthe legs 6 and 7 have straps 8 attached thereto in any suitable manner, which straps are adapted for coaction with buckles 9 which are also attached to the leg portions 6 and 7, for drawing the leg portions tight about the legs of the wearer. The straps 8 are positioned so that they will come directly above the knees of the wearer so that if a short person is wearing the suit, the upper portions of the legs 6 and 7 may hang blouse like over the straps 8, while the lower portion will fit comparatively snugly about the lower legs and feet.

A head covering 10 is formed integrally with the waist portion of the suit, and the front of the head portion is open as indicated at 11, for leaving the face of the wearer exposed. An elastic flexible strip 12, which is preferably constructed of soft elastic rubber is attached to the head portion 10 about the opening 11, in any suitable manner, such as by sealing strips 13. The soft elastic strip 12 fits closely about the face of the wearer and prevents water from entermg the suit about the face of the wearer.

through the opening 11.

The opening 11 communicates with the opening or slit formed in the center of the front of the waist portion, through which opening the 'wearer enters the suit. The opening down the front of is closed by a pair of strips 14 and 15 which are adapted to have their inner faces abutting, when the opening is closed. The strip 15 is composed of sections 16, 17 and 18. The sections 17 and 18 are secured to the in any suitable manner, such as by cementing or the like and they have their facing edges spaced for forming a recess 19 which extends longitudinally of the strip 15 centrally of its side as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. Plates 20 are attached to the outer surface of the section 16 at regular spaced intervals in any suitable manner, such as by rivets or the like and they carry locking pins 21 and 22. The locking pins 21 and 22 extend through openings 23 formed in the section or strip 15 and through openings 24 formed in the section or strip 14. The lock-' ing pins 21 and 22 have notches 25 formed therein facing each other, which notches rethe waist portion ceive the cam locking member 26 which is rotatably carried by the strip 14.

The locking cam 26, is rotatably connected to the strip l-l by means of a pin 27 which extends through the section 28 of the strip 14 and which pin has a head 29 formed thereon which is seated in the, section 30 of the strip 14 and engages the inner surface of the section 28 for preventing the locking cam from being from the strip 14. The locking cam 26 has a thumb and finger handle 31 formed thereon for rotating the same and it is divided into two cam sections, which taper outwardly as shown at 32 in Fig. 8 of the drawings for providing an inclined surface for riding over the shoulders formed by the notches 25 for securely forcing the strip 11 into abutting engagement with the strip 15. Tangentially extending lugs 33 are formed upon the enlarged thickened portion of the cam section for limiting the rotary movement of the locking cam 26. The locking cam 26 rides over the outer surface of a plate 34: which is attached to the outer surface of the strip 11 in any suitable manner, such as by rivets or the like as indicated at 35 in Fig. 10.

A flexible tube 37 is carried by the strip 14 cent-rally of its inner face which rubber tubeis adapted for seating in the recess 19 so that when the strips or sections 14 and 15 are brought into firm abutting engagement with each other by the action of the locking cam 26, the tube 37 will be forced into the recess 19, and in firm engagement with the walls of this-recess for forming a fluid-tight connection between the strips 11 and 15 thereby preventing the accidental leakage of water into the interior of the garment. Any desired number of the locking structures including the locking cam 26,and pins 21 may be provided, so as to securely hold the strips I 14 and 15 in fluid-tight abutting engagement.

The waist 1 of the garment has arms 10 formed thereon which have gloves 11 formed upon their free ends, which gloves are constructed of soft pliable rubber.

Positioned within the waist portion 1. is a vest generically indicated by the numeral 45, which vest is constructed of Waterproof fabric and is provided with armholes 46 through which the arms of the wearer are inserted. The vest 45 is constructed of a plurality of sections. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, it is shown as being constructed of four sections, but it is to be understood that it may be made in four, six, eight or any desired number of sections. The various sections of the vest45 are stitched together asas to permit access ings, by the action of elastic strips 49 which are attached to the outer surface of the vest, when the same is worn by a small person, the elastic strips 49 stretching to allow the portions 48 to be stretched as lllustrated in Fig. 4, when the vest is worn by a large person.

Each ofthe sections of the vest 45 has its lower edge free from stitched connection, and pinned together or detachably connected by any suitable type of fastener so to the interior of each of the sections, which sections are constructed for forming pockets as clearly shown 1n Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The'pockets formed by each of the sections of the vest 45 have cushions 50 mounted therein, which cushions or pillows comprise slips 51 constructed of any suitablewaterproof fabrlc. The slips 51 are filled with a soft buoyant material, such as Japanese sllk, cotton or the like as indicated at 52, so as to form soft cushions which engage the body of the wearer, and also buoyant members whlch facilitate in keeping the wearer on the top of water. The pillows or cushions terminate below the upper neck band portion 53 of the vest, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the draw ings, 'so as to allow a flexible neck band portion.

Each straps 54 stitched to their inner surfaces, which straps are provided for connectlon with suitable devices carried by the waist band of the trouser section 2. The straps 54 which are carried by the intermediate sections of the vest connect to buckles 55 which are carried by suitable straps 56. The straps 56 are attached to the upper edge of the waist band of the trousers section. The

straps 54 which are carried by the outer sections of the vest have loops or eye members '57 carried thereby which receive buttons 58 carried by suitable straps 59. The straps 59 are attached to the upper edge of the waist band of the trouser section as clearly shown in Fig. 50f the drawings.

Oneof the outer sections of the vest 45 has a plurality of eyes 58 connected thereto by means of straps 59, and the other has hooks 60 connected to its edges by means of straps 61 which hooks and eyes or loops are provided for connecting the front facing edges of the outer sections of the vest in front of the chest of the wearer.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of construction and of the method of operation of the improved life preserving garment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, and while in the foregoing description, the principle of the operation of this invention has been described together with various features of of the sections of the vest 45 has tion, said strip being less flexible than the waterproof fabricto form a hinged joint between the waist section and the trouser section.

2. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric and including a waist portion and a trouser portion, flexible strip connecting said waist section to said trouser section, said flexible strip being less flexible than the waterproof material, of which said waist and trouser sections are formed to provide a hinged joint between the waist section and the trouser section for allowing the waist section to overhang the waistband of the trouser section, a vest mounted within said waist portion and adjustably connected to said trouser portion, said vest composed of a plurality of flexibly connected sections,

each of said sections forming a pocket, and

section anda trouser section, a flexible strip connecting said waist section to said trouser section for allowing the waist section to overhang the waist band of the trouser section, a head covering formed upon said walst portion, said head covering having its front open, a strip .of soft flexible rubber extending about the edge of the face opening for clinging to the face of'the wearer, boots formed upon said leg portions, straps carried by said leg portions, buckles carried by said leg portions, said straps adapted for connection with said buckles for binding the leg portions tightly about the legs of a wearer.

4. In a life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric and including a waist portion and a trousers portion, a vest mounted within said waist-portion and adjustably connectedto said trousers portion,said vest ings through said pockets, and elastic straps attached to the outer surface of said vest for normally holding the facing edges of said sections in engagement and for permitting the sections to be spread apart the length of said flexible connection.

6. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric and comprising a waist section and a trouser section, said waist section being split down the front for permitting the wearer to don the garment, a pair of outwardly extending strips formed along the edges of said split, one of said strips being provided with a longitudinally ex tending rectangular recess, a flexible tube carried by the other of said strips and adapted for seating in said recess, and means for clamping the facing surfaces of said strips in firm abutting engagement with each other for forcing said tube into said rectangular recess for forming a fluid-tight connection between said strips.

7. A life preserving garment construct-ed of waterproof fabric including a waist portion, said waist portion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said split portion, a plurality of locking pins carried by one of said strips and extending therethrough, the other of said strips being provided with openings for receiving said pins, a locking cam rotatabl carried by the second section and adapted for engagement with said locking pin for securely clamping said strips in facial abutting engagement.

8. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric, and including a waist portion. said waist portion being split down. the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said split. a plurality of locking pins carried by and extending through one of said strips, the other of said strips provided with openings through which said locking pins extend, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking. pins provided with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking said strips in facial abutting engagement with each other.

9. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric, andincluding a waist portion, said waist portion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly ext-ending strips extending along the edges of said split, a plurality of locking pins carried by and extending through one of said strips, the other of said strips provided with openwhich said locking pins extend, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking pins provided with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking said strips in facial abutting engagement with each other, tangentially extending lugs formed upon said locking cam for limiting the rotary movement thereof.

10. A life preserving garment constructed of Waterproof fabric, and including a waist portion, said waist port-ion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said split, a plurality of locking pins carried by and extending through one of said strips, the other of said stripsprovided with openings through which said locking pins ext-end, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking pins provided with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking said strips in facial abutting engagement with each other, said first mentioned strip being provided with a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped recess, a flexible tube carried by the second mentioned strip and forced into said recess when said strips are locked in facial abutting engagement with each other for forming a. fluid-tight connection between the strips.

11. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric, and including a waist port-ion, said waist portion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said spl t, a plurality of locking pins carried by and extending through one of said strips, the other of said, strips provided with openings through which said locking pins extend, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking pins provided with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking said strips in facial abutting engagement with each other, said first mentioned strip being provided with a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped recess, a flexible tube carried by the second mentioned strip and forced into said recess when said strips are locked in facial abutting engagement with each other for forming a fluid-tight connection between the strips, means for rotatably connecting said locking cam to said second mentioned strip, a thumb and finger head connected to said cam for rotating the same, and wear plates carried by said second section and engaging the inner surface of said locking cam.

12. A life preserving of waterproof fabric, section and a trouser section, a flexible strip connecting said waist section to said trouser section, said strip being less flexible than the material of which said waist and trouser sections are formed so as to provide a hinged joint between the Waist section and the trouser section to allow the waist section to overhang the waist band of the trouser section, said waist section being split down the front for permitting the wearer to don the garment, a pair of outwardly extending garment constructed and having a waist strips formed along the edges'of said split, one of said strips being provided with a longitudinally extending rectangular recess, a flexible tube carried by the other of said strips and adapted for seating in said recess, and means for clamping the facing surfaces of said stripin firm abutting engagement with each other for forcing said tubes into said rectangular recess for forming a fluid tight connection between said strips.

13. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric, and having a waist section and a trouser section, a flexible strip connecting said waist section to said trouser section said strip being less flexible than the fabric of which said waist and trouser sections are formed to provide a hinged joint between the waist and the trouser sections for allowing-the waist section to overhang the waist band of the trouser section, said waist portion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said split, a plurality of locking pins through one of said strips, the other of said strips provided with openings through which said locking pins extend, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking pin provided. with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking said strip in facial abutting engagement with each other, said first named strip being provided with a longitudinally extending rectangularly-shapedrecess, a flexible tube carried by said second inentioned strip and forced into said recess when said strips are locked in facial abutting engagement with each other for forming a fluid tight connection between the strips.

14. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric, and having a Waist section and a trouser section, a flexible strip connecting said waist section to said trouser section said strip being less flexible than the fabric of which said waist and trouser sect1ons are formed to provide a hinged joint between the waist and the trouser sections for allowing the waist section to overhang the waist band of the trouser section said waist portion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said split, a plurality of locking pins carried by and extending through one of said strips, the other of said strips provided with openings through which saidv locking pins extend, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking pin provided with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking'said strip in facial abutting engagecarried by and extending,

and a strip of soft flexible rubber extending about the edge of the face openings for clinging to the face of the wearer.

15. A life preserving garment constructed of waterproof fabric, and having a waist section and a trouser section, a flexible strip connecting said waist section to said trouser section said strip being less flexible than the fabric of which said waist and trouser sections are formed to provide a hinged joint between the waist and the trouser sections for allowing the waist section to overhangv the waist band of the trouser section, said waist portion being split down the front, a pair of outwardly extending strips extending along the edges of said split, a plurality of locking pins carried by and extending through one of said strips, the other of said strips provided with openings through which said'locking pins extend, a locking cam rotatably carried by said second mentioned strip, said locking pin provided with notches for receiving said locking cam for securely locking said strip in facial abutting engagement with each other, said first named strip being provided with a longitudinally extending rectangularly-shaped recess, a flexible tube carried by said second mentioned strip and forced into said recess when said strips are locked in facial abutting engagement with each other for forming a fluid tight connection between the strips, a head covering formed upon said waist portion, said head covering having its front open,.and a strip of soft flexible rubber extending about the edge of the face openings for wearer, a vest mounted within said waist portion and adjustably connected to said trouser ortion, said vest composed of a plurality o flexibly connected sections, each of said sections forming a pocket, and buoyant pillows mounted within the pocket.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST NOGAR.

clinging to the face of the 

